Many public agencies host websites identifying and locating convicted felons living in residential neighborhoods.
That’s good. The information is a matter of public record available to everyone concerned about their personal safety.
But wait. Another matter of public record concerning personal safety soon may end up on websites or in the print media.
And that ain’t good. We’re talking about public revelations of who has official licenses to carry concealed handguns.
The magic word here is concealed (i.e. secret, without display, etc.).
Carrying a holstered handgun openly may be off-putting, but it isn’t unlawful in many circumstances. Ever been to Texas?
Anyway, some news agencies and other organizations and individuals now ant access to information about permit holders and have gone to court to obtain it.
Permit holders are concerned about security for themselves and their families, often after being victims of violence, burglary, robbery or assault.
Publishing names and addresses of permit holders will subject all of them to the real possibility of victimization. (11 JANUARY 2009)
